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I've been thinking a lot about how we evaluate comics and graphic novels. When you're reading comic book reviews or graphic novel reviews, what do you look for? Do you focus more on art, storytelling, character development, or something else? And when you share your own reviews, what's your process? I'm especially curious about indie comics reviews since they often get less attention than mainstream superhero comic discussions.

When I write graphic novel reviews, I try to focus on how all the elements work together. The art should serve the story, the writing should complement the visuals, etc. For graphic novel analysis, I look at pacing, page layouts, color choices everything that contributes to the reading experience. With indie comics reviews especially, I try to consider what the creators were trying to achieve rather than comparing them to mainstream standards.

At the shop, we get asked for comic book reviews all the time. I try to be practical in my recommendations who would enjoy this book? Is it good for beginners or more experienced readers? What similar works might someone like? For graphic novel reviews, I think about readability and re-read value. Some books are great for one read, others reveal new things each time you return to them.

I approach comic book reviews differently depending on the type of book. For superhero comic discussions, I look at character consistency, plot coherence, and how it fits into larger continuity. For standalone graphic novels, I evaluate them as complete works. The hardest reviews to write are for indie comics because you want to be honest but also supportive of smaller creators trying to build their audience.

My graphic novel analysis approach is very structured. I look at narrative structure, visual storytelling techniques, thematic depth, and historical/cultural context. When reading comic book reviews from others, I appreciate when reviewers acknowledge their biases and preferences. Someone who only reads superhero comics might not be the best reviewer for literary graphic novels, and vice versa.

I’m looking at a small multi-family property that’s been on the market a while, and the seller is hinting they might be open to carrying the loan themselves. I’ve only ever dealt with traditional bank financing, so the idea of seller financing is both intriguing and a bit nerve-wracking. I’m trying to figure out what specific pitfalls I should be looking out for in the contract to avoid getting burned down the line.

I did something like this once and the balloon at the end almost did me in. Five year term, a fixed rate around six percent, and then a big payoff due if I couldn't refinance. The cash flow looked great at first, but after year two the rents barely covered the debt service and we were staring at a refinance we probably wouldn’t qualify for. It taught me to insist on an amortization that actually fits the term and to have a solid post‑term plan before signing.

Watch the underlying mortgage. If the seller still has a bank loan, many lenders have a due on sale clause and can require payoff when you take title. We ran into a lender asking for a payoff letter during closing and it threw a scare into the deal. Also ask who holds the security instrument and whether there’s any recourse if you miss a payment.

Beware the rate structure and penalties. Our agreement was supposedly fixed but there was a hidden prepayment penalty and a ceiling that still left us vulnerable if rents slipped. We did a quick back‑of‑the‑envelope cash flow and realized the hoped‑for returns weren't robust enough once you account for CAPEX, taxes, and a possible rate reset.

Liens and title stuff bit us. There was a second lien from a contractor that the contract didn’t spell out who cleaned up, so we spent weeks negotiating after closing. Make sure the deed of trust or mortgage actually encumbers the correct property and that rents or insurance are assigned, not just promised.

I got blindsided by the seller’s retirement talk and forgot to pin down an exit plan. The contract sounded flexible, but there were clauses that could let the seller track the note into a new buyer or transfer risk in ways we hadn’t anticipated. It felt like we focused on the vibes and not the tight language in the agreement.

Do you have a real estate attorney who knows these notes?

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